Use It or Lose It

What Are We Supposed To Do With Our Pain?

"God sent or God used." That’s a quote I heard from a pastor 18 years ago while going through the hardships of several miscarriages. Those words were a pivotal moment in my life, and words that I continue to hear over and over. It was at that moment I knew I had a decision to make. Would I remain angry and hurt, or will I give it to Him and allow Him to use it for His purpose and glory? In order for God to heal me, I had to acknowledge my disappointment in Him and surrender to Him. The process of healing was not an overnight event, but a gradual process of trust while I allowed the Lord to comfort me. As I healed, God began to use it as part of my purpose to minister to others.

Since then, I have endured more disappointments and hurts relationally, emotionally, and physically. Some are small and some are big. If I am honest, my tendency is to yell out to the Lord and say, “please hurry and let this pass so I can get on with your purpose for me!”

But it is in the quiet place when I surrender to Him, that He brings me comfort by acknowledging He is with me even though I don't understand. He shows me new things while I have no other choice but to seek Him more and more. He brings new people, new insight, and love from Him and others as I cry out. As I allow him to completely heal me, which could take days, months or years, I see it may not have been God-sent, but it can be God-used for His purpose to bring glory and minister to others.

In the book of Ruth in the Bible, Ruth lost her husband by death. I can't imagine the pain, loss and confusion she endured, but she made a choice. Instead of staying where she was, she decided to do what was required of her and follow her mother-in-law to a new city. It was there that she found new love and a new life. Did God cause this tragedy to happen? I don't think we will know, but what we do know is that despite it, God used to it bring her to a new place to fulfill His glory and purpose.

No matter your relationship today with the Lord, know that He longs to bring you comfort that cannot be found outside of Him. As we surrender to Him, He will use our pain, no matter how big or small, to reveal Himself to us with an ever-lasting love.